Security consultants at eEye Digital Security privately reported the newly discovered flaws to Microsoft on May 5 and warned that users of the dominant Internet Explorer browser and the Microsoft Outlook e-mail client were at risk of PC hijack attacks.

“A vulnerability in default installations of the affected software allows malicious code to be executed, contingent upon minimal user interaction,” eEye said in a notice posted on its upcoming advisories Web page.

The company said additional miscellaneous titles are also affected by the remote code execution flaw, which is rated “high risk” and could cause remote code execution attacks.

Operating systems affected include all versions of Windows NT 4.0, fully-patched Windows 2000, and Windows XP (including Service Pack 2).

Source: eWeek

IBM is encouraging its employees to use Firefox, aiding the open-source Web browser’s quest to chip away at Microsoft’s Internet Explorer.

Firefox is already used by about 10 percent of IBM’s staff, or about 30,000 people. Starting Friday, IBM workers can download the browser from internal servers and get support from the company’s help desk staff.

IBM’s commitment to Firefox is among its most prominent votes of confidence from a large corporation. Based on development work by the nonprofit Mozilla Foundation, Firefox has been downloaded by more than 50 million people since it debuted in November. Internet Explorer still dominates the overall market by far, though, with Firefox’s share in the single digits.

For IBM, the move is a significant step in lessening dependence on a product from rival Microsoft.

Source: ZDNet

Code-named ‘Eiger,’ the stripped-down version of Windows XP is designed for business users who want more security and manageability on older Windows PCs.

Eiger, a stripped-down version of Windows XP Professional, is designed for customers who want more security and manageability, but who aren’t ready or able to upgrade to Windows XP, according to Microsoft officials. It is not a thin client in the traditional sense. Instead, Microsoft will offer it as an interim, “bridge” solution for enterprise users who ultimately plan to move to XP or Longhorn, officials said.

Eiger will bring these users up to par with the level of security provided by XP Service Pack 2, Goffe said. It won’t include the XP help and support content, wireless networking support and certain operating services found in XP, however.

Eiger will run on legacy systems with as little as 64MB of RAM, a Pentium-class processor and 500 MB hard drive. Eiger is designed to replace Windows 95, Windows 98 and NT 4 Workstation running on these systems.

Source: Microsoft Watch

When Google first released Google Toolbar 3 three months ago, it faced a storm of criticism from Webmasters and publishers who were upset about a feature called AutoLink.

AutoLink can turn a Web page’s references to addresses and package tracking information, books and vehicles into hyperlinks to other sites.

AutoLink remains a key part of the full toolbar release, though Google has modified the feature to give users more options for switching the default sites for the links.

Google also has shifted the color of inserted links to distinguish them from other links, a company spokeswoman said.

The latest version of the toolbar upgrade is currently available as a download for Internet Explorer browser Here.

Source: eWeek

It’s not news to Microsoft that many, if not most, average Windows users have gripes about their PC experiences.

In response, the software company is unveiling on Friday a new subscription-based computer fix-it service, aimed at automatically patching security holes, blocking viruses and spyware, and generally automating the chores of maintaining a computer’s health.

Dubbed Windows OneCare, the service will draw in part on existing tools like the company’s anti-spyware software, as well as on basic PC management functions inside Windows. But it will add a more powerful firewall, ongoing antivirus protection, and the right to get a live support person on the phone without paying extra, the company said.

The service, which won’t be available for ordinary consumers even in beta until much later this year, represents the latest stage in Microsoft’s move against the security problems that have plagued its software over the past few years.

Source: News.com

Microsoft has beaten its game console rivals to the starting line with the introduction of its new Xbox.

The software giant unveiled the Xbox 360 during a pre-taped MTV broadcast on Thursday night, edging out Sony and Nintendo to become the first to reveal details of a new console.

The most anticipated feature among the Xbox 360’s specifications is its high-definition picture display. Pricing for the device hasn’t been announced yet, but executives have said the console will be shipped in Asia, Europe and North America by the holiday season.

The console will come with a 20GB detachable and upgradeable hard drive and a 12x dual-layer DVD drive that reads DVD, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD-R/RW, WMA and MP3, among other formats. It will also stream media from other Windows XP-based PCs, Microsoft said. You can find the full specs here

Source: News.com